Culture Hacks Quotes

“The you that you think you are is not it and the you that you can’t even think about is it.”
― Richard Conrad, Culture Hacks: Deciphering Differences in American, Chinese, and Japanese Thinking

“The past is already gone, the future is not yet here. There’s only one moment for you to live, and that is the present moment.”
― Richard Conrad, Culture Hacks: Deciphering Differences in American, Chinese, and Japanese Thinking

“…the first doctrine of Buddhism [is]: it cannot be taught. No experience can be taught. All that can be taught is the way to an experience.”
― Richard Conrad, Culture Hacks: Deciphering Differences in American, Chinese, and Japanese Thinking

“Another Zen story: A man comes down the road on a fast galloping horse. A person on the side of the road asks, “Where are you going?” The man says, “I don’t know. Ask the horse.” Make sure your linear logical mind isn’t taking you places your true self doesn’t want to go.”
― Richard Conrad, Culture Hacks: Deciphering Differences in American, Chinese, and Japanese Thinking

“Americans tend to also have an all or nothing approach to laws. Something is legal or it is illegal. This is in stark contrast to the incremental approach of the relative-truth-believing Chinese. The Chinese pursue new policies incrementally because common sense says that there will be unexpected consequences from any change. Linear thinkers don’t account for unexpected consequences. We look at the causes and effects that we can understand. Chinese officials know that any new rule will bring about many new creative ways to get around that rule. Therefore, they start off small and try the new rule out in a few select cities, see how people attempt to get around the rule or take advantage of it, and then course correct. Americans tend to change laws in an all-or-nothing manner.”
― Richard Conrad, Culture Hacks: Deciphering Differences in American, Chinese, and Japanese Thinking